Ep 1. Brains Gone Wild (Pilot)

Stuff You Should Know is a popular podcast where co-hosts Josh and Chuck discuss a wide range of topics from science to history to pop culture. The show has now been adapted into a television series, and the first episode, "Brains Gone Wild (Pilot)" explores the fascinating world of the human brain.

The episode opens with a brief overview of the brain's structure and function, highlighting the importance of neurons, which transmit information between different areas of the brain. Josh and Chuck then dive into the topic of memory, discussing how memories are stored and retrieved in the brain. They explain that there are different types of memories, including declarative memory (which involves consciously recalling facts and events) and procedural memory (which involves learned skills and activities).

The show goes on to explore some of the strange and surprising phenomena associated with the brain. For example, Josh and Chuck discuss the strange case of Clive Wearing, a man who suffered brain damage from a viral infection and lost the ability to form long-term memories. Despite this, Wearing can still play the piano beautifully - his procedural memory is intact, despite his lack of declarative memory.

The hosts also touch on the topic of false memories, citing the example of the "Mandela Effect" where many people recall Nelson Mandela dying in prison in the 1980s, despite the fact that he was released from prison in 1990 and went on to become the President of South Africa. Similarly, many people recall the Berenstain Bears children's book series as being spelled "Berenstein." Josh and Chuck explain that these false memories likely result from the brain's tendency to fill in gaps in our recollections with plausible information.

Another fascinating topic covered in the episode is the link between the brain and gut. Josh and Chuck explain that the gut has its own nervous system, known as the enteric nervous system, which can communicate with the brain through the vagus nerve. This communication can be bidirectional, with stress and anxiety in the brain being able to affect gut function, and vice versa. The hosts also touch on the topic of the gut microbiome, which refers to the trillions of bacteria that live in our digestive tracts and can also have an impact on mental health and cognition.

Throughout the episode, Josh and Chuck also take time to answer listener-submitted questions. For example, they explain why we might feel "butterflies" in our stomachs when we're nervous or excited (it's due to increased blood flow and oxygenation in the gut), and whether we really only use 10% of our brains (it's a myth - we use all of our brain, just not all at once).

Overall, "Brains Gone Wild (Pilot)" is a fascinating introduction to the complex and endlessly fascinating world of the human brain. Josh and Chuck's easy banter and accessible explanations make the episode engaging and entertaining, while also providing plenty of food for thought.